Chapter 1056: Shockwaves and Departure

The news that Li Luo had led the Qingming Banner through the seventy-second floor of the Sha Mo Cave spread to every city under Li Li Tianwang's lineage in just a few short days.

Clearing the seventy-second floor of the Sha Mo Cave wasn't actually all that earth-shattering, after all the Twenty Banners convened only once every several years, and in terms of level, it was merely a training ground for the younger generation.

Compared to the Five Heavenly Dragon Guards, the Twenty Banners were far weaker in tier, and the attention they received was worlds apart.

But this time, things were different.

The Qingming Banner led by Li Luo not only set the record for the fastest clearance of the seventy-second floor of the Sha Mo Cave to date, but even more shocking was that within those seventy-two floors, he had encountered a wisp of will left behind by the Li Li Tianwang ancestor.

That was a Li Tianwang-level powerhouse!

For such an existence, even many Marquis-level strongmen could only feel fear and reverence; ordinarily, even if one wished to pay homage, there was no door, no path to do so, let alone glimpse their true appearance.

And Li Luo had not only seen the ancestor within this seventy-second floor, but had also passed his trial. Such a performance would undoubtedly leave a mark in the ancestor's heart, and his future achievements were boundless.

If Li Luo's previous accomplishments had still seemed like small-time antics in the eyes of the many powerhouses of Li Li Tianwang's lineage, then this time, they had no choice but to truly cast a gaze of importance upon him.

Of course, what they valued was not Li Luo's current strength, but his potential, as well as the Qingming Court he now represented. After all, Long Ya Mountain had previously issued an order, and Li Luo currently also held the position of Grand Court Master of the Qingming Court.

In recent years, due to Li Taixuan's departure, the Grand Court Master seat of the Qingming Court had hung vacant. After losing such a pillar of support, the Qingming Court's weight and status had dwindled day by day, which led to many of the interests originally belonging to the Qingming Court being encroached upon by the Jin Guang Court. And the Jin Guang Court even showed a momentum of replacing the former Qingming Court to become the number one court of the current Long Ya lineage.

The key point was that the lineage head Li Li Jingzhe had no objections to this, and at times even gave the Jin Guang Court more opportunities.

In this situation, the Jin Guang Court grew increasingly brazen. The Ziqi Court and the Chiyun Court were slightly better off, after all they still had Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan holding the fort, but the Qingming Court suffered greatly. Without a Grand Court Master to support it, in many matters it could only allow the Jin Guang Court to erode its position.

This led to many city lords originally under the Qingming Court being poached by the Jin Guang Court, which in turn accelerated the Qingming Court's decline.

After so many years, even some of the die-hard supporters who had once backed Li Taixuan couldn't help but waver, after all years of waiting would inevitably erode a person's hope.

Li Luo's previous return had rekindled hope in these people, who thought Li Taixuan was about to return as well, but in the nearly one year since, there had still been no news of Li Taixuan, and even whether he was alive or dead, no one knew.

Fortunately, however, this son of Li Taixuan seemed to possess quite a bit of talent, constantly stirring up some commotion, and even ultimately securing the position of Acting Grand Court Master. Although a Grand Court Master at the Tian Zhu Jing sounded somewhat ridiculous, this was a subtle signal released by lineage head Li Li Jingzhe.

And now, Li Luo had once again achieved such a feat on the seventy-second floor, which undoubtedly caused many people to see the shadow of Li Taixuan in him.

Perhaps this Li Luo truly could catch up to his father's footsteps back in the day, or even surpass them.

In a small building.

Li Luo sat cross-legged before a desk. Over the past two days, the Qingming Banner had held grand celebrations with various gatherings emerging one after another, and he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to accompany them all. After all, the Qingming Banner's training had come to an end, and its eight thousand members would soon go their separate ways. The outstanding ones, after further cultivation, might join the Long Ya Guard, while the majority would be dispersed throughout the various territories of the Long Ya lineage to take up positions and gradually grow.

And these people, in a certain sense, bore his Li Luo's brand.

It was said that among those city-lord-level powerhouses in the Long Ya lineage who still maintained their support for the Qingming Court, quite a few had been banner members when his father led the Qingming Banner back in the day, so their loyalty was very high. Once they grew in the future, they would also be a highly cohesive force.

"The matters of the Long Ya lineage have also been handled more or less."

Li Luo murmured to himself. Now the Qingming Banner had also graduated. By convention, he would have a period of free time, and then he could directly enter the Long Ya Guard.

But Li Luo had more important matters, so the time to enter the Long Ya Guard could only be postponed.

Li Luo took out paper and pen and began planning the tasks for this trip to the Tianyuan Ancient Academy.

The first, and most important matter, was to find a way to deliver the "Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus" into Jiang Jiang Qinge's hands. If possible, Li Luo really wanted to see her.

The second was the entrustment from Vice Dean Suxin back then. The Holy Profound Star Academy had been destroyed, and the Xiangli Tree shattered. Strictly speaking, the Holy Profound Star Academy would lose its "Holy" prefix, and this was not as simple as just losing a character, because Holy-level academies could obtain enormous cultivation resources from the Academy Alliance every year, which was a major support upon which Holy-level academies everywhere depended for survival.

Once the Holy Profound Star Academy was stripped of its Holy prefix, these resources would naturally be deducted, which would be adding insult to injury for the already heavily damaged Holy Profound Star Academy.

For the Holy Profound Star Academy to maintain its faculty and student strength and prepare for future revenge, these resources were indispensable. Otherwise, once people's hearts grew cold, the Holy Profound Star Academy might truly fall apart.

And regarding the Holy Profound Star Academy, Li Luo also harbored some gratitude. Back when House Luolan Mansion was in turmoil, the fact that Jiang Jiang Qinge and he were able to grow up and initially possess some self-preserving strength was crucially due to the shelter of the Holy Profound Star Academy.

So Li Luo naturally didn't want to sit idly by while the Holy Profound Star Academy collapsed. If the opportunity arose, he would do his utmost to help.

The third matter concerned the "Creation Divine Nectar." This divine medicine that could allow Li Luo to truly advance into the Nine-Pattern Xiang still needed to be supplemented with a main ingredient full of ancient, pure life energy, and this kind of thing, the extremely ancient Xiangli Tree at the Tianyuan Ancient Academy might be able to provide.

And the final matter... if possible, Li Luo hoped to cultivate the complete "Three-Dragon Heavenly Banner Canon."

The complete-level "Three-Dragon Heavenly Banner Canon" was a genuine Si Si Tianming-level Marquis Art. A Marquis Art of this level belonged to the top tier even in any Li Tianwang-level force, and Li Luo's current "Black Dragon Dark Water Banner" had already been cultivated to the Great Perfection realm. With this foundation, if he could cultivate the other two paths, it should be quite smooth sailing.

Although the "Myriad Xiang Long Ya Sword Formation" he currently cultivated was hailed as an embryonic Unparalleled Art, in terms of level it still fell within the scope of a Si Si Tianming-level Marquis Art; it was simply that this art still contained tremendous potential and might one day leap forward to become a legendary Unparalleled Art.

So a Si Si Tianming-level Marquis Art truly lived up to its name—it was a terrifying art that could truly defy the heavens and change one's fate, dominate among peers, and defeat enemies across realms.

And now that Li Luo had a fated connection with this "Three-Dragon Heavenly Banner Canon," he naturally had to cultivate it to completion as much as possible.

Li Luo silently gazed at the several tasks on the paper. Each of these things didn't seem all that simple, so this trip to the Tianyuan Ancient Academy would probably also require some time.

But that was fine too. The Tianyuan Ancient Academy had profound foundations, even surpassing their Li Tianwang-level forces by a margin. Perhaps Li Luo could even seize the opportunity to break through to the Dao Tian Xiang Jing there.

"Tomorrow, I'll set off!"

Li Luo's thoughts flowed, and he finally made his decision.

But before leaving, he still needed to make a trip to Li Li Jingzhe's place. The Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus was still in the old man's hands.

So Li Luo didn't dawdle. He walked straight out of the small building and shot through the air toward Long Ya Mountain.

Long Ya Mountain, back mountain bamboo garden.

And when Li Luo arrived here, Li Li Jingzhe had already prepared a table of small dishes, holding a wine pot, pouring and drinking by himself.

"You're here. The thing is here."

Li Li Jingzhe looked at the youth walking in, smiled slightly, then waved his sleeve, and a crystal bead about the size of a thumb rolled onto the stone table.

Inside the crystal bead, a sacred lotus slowly bloomed, covered in ancient, mysterious light patterns.

However, there seemed to be a layer of Mian De Feng Yin on the crystal bead, completely concealing the fluctuations of the "Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus."

"I've placed a Zhi De Feng Yin on this that can block outsiders from perceiving the 'Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus.' This item is a rare heavenly treasure and holds a fatal allure for high-grade Marquis-level powerhouses. If a young brat like you carries it outside and is discovered, you will inevitably attract the covetous gaze of some Marquis-level experts. Under the temptation of such a treasure, even the name of Li Li Tianwang's lineage may not protect you," Li Li Jingzhe reminded him.

"If you truly encounter an irresistible enemy at that time, you can also take the initiative to hand this thing over. The Zhi De Feng Yin on it can only be resolved by a King-level powerhouse taking action. When that happens, I will naturally sense it. When you're out, remember, your little life is what matters most."

Hearing Li Li Jingzhe's series of arrangements, Li Luo was also somewhat touched. He immediately took the crystal bead and said, "Thank you, Grandpa."

Li Li Jingzhe gestured for Li Luo to sit down and eat bamboo shoots, then continued, "Your performance in the Sha Mo Cave this time was not bad. You can be considered to have given face to your father and me."

Li Luo chuckled foolishly.

"That Dragon Seed True Pill is a good thing. Not only does it have those benefits on the surface, but the greater significance is that you can use it to familiarize yourself with the power of the Sacred Seed. In the future... it might strengthen your compatibility with the 'Dragon Sacred Seed,'" Li Li Jingzhe said lightly.

"Dragon Sacred Seed?" Li Luo's heart skipped a beat. Just the "Dragon Seed True Pill," formed by gathering the power of the Sacred Seed, already possessed such monstrous effects. He truly couldn't imagine what terrifying abilities the legendary "Dragon Sacred Seed" might hold.

Li Li Jingzhe didn't say much more on this and took out a scarlet bracelet: "This Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf is returned to you. The injuries it suffered before have already been healed by me. Also, this little wolf cub is quite lucky. Considering it's still fairly loyal, I gave it some opportunities. If it can pull through, both its strength and bloodline will be able to improve."

Hearing this, Li Luo quickly took it. A wisp of Xiangli flowed into it, and as he perceived the scene within, a look of astonishment immediately rose in his heart.

Because within it he did not see the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf, but rather a massive blood crystal coffin, upon which flowed mysterious and obscure light patterns, and faintly a familiar fluctuation emanated from within.

The blood crystal coffin flickered in and out of sight, and Li Luo saw the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf crouching within it, seemingly in deep slumber.

It seemed the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf had also obtained considerable benefits from Li Li Jingzhe, and once it awakened, its strength would improve.

"Thank you, Grandfather." Li Luo expressed his gratitude once more. He knew that Li Li Jingzhe's help to the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf was also for the sake of giving him an extra layer of protection when traveling outside.

Li Li Jingzhe waved his hand and said, "The Tianyuan Ancient Academy is located in the western region of Tianyuan Shenzhou, far from our Li Tianwang veins, and there are some top-tier forces distributed there as well. You must be careful on your own over there."

"I'll send someone to escort you there later, to avoid some trouble."

"Anyway, once you've finished those matters, come back as soon as possible. I still need you to lead the Dragon Fang Guard... Only when you stay in the Dragon Fang vein can I rest easy. Whatever other veins have, my Dragon Fang vein won't short you."

Listening to Li Li Jingzhe, who rarely rambled on at length, Li Luo also wore a smile, held up the wine pot to refill his cup, then nodded with warmth in his heart.

"Grandfather, I understand."

(Today the Yuan Zun mobile game has finally launched its open beta!!! Today I'm starting another livestream, at seven o'clock on dy I'll livestream playing the Yuan Zun mobile game, giving away Xiao Yan, giving away Mu Chen, giving away Zhou Yuan!! Hahaha!! The art style of the mobile game is still quite nice, those who like playing games can download it on Apple and various Android channels.)